Hello,
i am looking to restain some of my kitchen cabinets (and eventually our hardwood floor) and i am unsure of what coating has been applied. Are there some good methods to determine what has been applied? Is there one method I could apply (other than sanding) that will work with every coating? I do have some scrap samples of the kitchen cabinet material and the flooring.
Thanks

slickshift

05-09-2007 05:18 PM

I would seriously consider removing them and handing them off to a pro strip shop

I'm a professional painter and I wouldn't even consider stripping cabinets myself, or in place.

joewho

05-12-2007 12:56 PM

In this case it really doesn't matter. What you're asking is if you should use a water or oil based product over what has already been applied.

when staining, you must strip the old finish and stain. When stripping, it really doesn't matter what has already been applied. Stripper will strip all products.

sleepy23

05-12-2007 01:28 PM

ok, well the reason i ask was that on tv, they had like 3 different methods depending on what the coating was. so i guess i am asking what the best method is?

joewho

05-12-2007 02:54 PM

I like to use liquid stripper, available at any home improvement store.

Sanding will also strip, but is time and labor intensive and doesn't guarantee a completley clean even surface. If you sand the finish/stain off, clean with spirits to ensure the surface is clean and free from any left over material.

I'm not sure what the third method is.

If you choose a method, we will be glad to tell what you need and guide you through the procedure.

Stripping will remove anything, sanding will remove 99% of most materials, but there are some coatings that will be extra gummy and not really sandable.

I guess I should ask if it's a stained and clear coated finish now, or is it painted?
I'm assuming it's stain and finish.

slickshift

05-12-2007 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepy23
(Post 44774)

ok, well the reason i ask was that on tv, they had like 3 different methods depending on what the coating was. so i guess i am asking what the best method is?

Seriously, and I can answer this w/o knowing what the TV said, the best way depends on what the coating is...really...I'm not trying to dodge the question or be funny...it depends, there is no one stripper for everything

What did the TV say?

joewho

05-12-2007 04:51 PM

I'm guessing it was an infomercial selling some type of unconventional stripper.

Don't want to disagree with you slick, ole buddy, but I'm pretty sure a standard stripper (methelyne chloride) will strip anything he has on his cabinets.

slickshift

05-12-2007 06:26 PM

It's also used to decaffeinate coffee
And it does that very well
Although, it's not necessarily the best way to decaffeinate coffee

Lol...

joewho

05-12-2007 09:19 PM

:blush:

Well, let me in on it. What am I missing here?

sleepy23

05-12-2007 10:45 PM

we actually saw it as a tip on HGTV, but didnt have time to write it down.
the cabinets actually have a Honey Oak stain (or so I am told) and the floor which will be done much later has something a little lighter.